Police and community briefs for Sept. 11, 2013

Tuesday

Sep 10, 2013 at 10:00 PM

A man accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend, who told police she left him because of abuse, was arrested Monday and faces an aggravated stalking charge.

Police beatMan accused of stalking his exA man accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend, who told police she left him because of abuse, was arrested Monday and faces an aggravated stalking charge.The 30-year-old woman told Detective Mat Steckman that she and her fiance, Joseph C. Rainford, 45, had an argument Thursday, and he locked her out of their residence. She said she later went in the home, but he locked the bedroom door. She said she waited until he went to sleep, gathered some clothing and left. She said she is afraid of Rainford because he has previously threatened to hurt her if she left him and did so again after the incident. She said he also was stalking her.Rainford denied the accusation. He was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail, where he is being held on $7,500 bond.Reward offered to nab home burglarA homeowner is offering $1,000 for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who burglarized his home and stole electronics and a rifle.Among the items taken in the July 30 burglary, in the 7100 block of Southeast 92nd Street, were a Remington Model 552 .22-caliber rifle with a scope, two large flat-screen televisions, a digital camera and Bose headphones.Anyone with information can call Detective Aaron Levay at 438-5948 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using the keyword 368stop or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.